THE NATIONAL GROUP OF IN THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION

Helsinki, 21 July 2005

Sir,

With reference to the Secretariat of the Assembly of States Parties' Note No ICC/ASP/4/S/4, dated 18 April 2005, concerning the nomination of candidates for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court, the national group ofFinland in the Permanent Court of Arbitration has the honour to inform you.that the group has, at its meeting on 7 October. 2.004, nominated Dr. Erkki Kourula as ',candidate for re- election as a judge of the International Criminal Court. The nomination was made with due regard to Article 36 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as well as to the procedure provided for nomination of candidates for the International Court of Justice in the Statute of that Court.

Attached to this letter, you will find the statement submitted in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 4(a), of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and paragraph 6 of the resolution of the Assembly of States Parties relating to the procedure for the nomination and election ofjudges of the International Criminal Court, as well as Dr. Kourula's curriculum vitae.

The group recognizes the significance of the re-election of Dr. Kourula in order to ensure continuity in the Court at this early stage of its operation. We are convinced that Dr. Kourula fully meets the requirements and high expectations set for the judges of the International Criminal Court and that his outstanding expertise would continue to make a significant contribution to the fulfilment of the Court's important'duties.

Accept, Sir, the assurance of ourhighest consideration.

The national group of Finland in the Permanent Court of Arbitration:

C21-)-~~ Bengt B oms Kirsti Rissanen Profess, Member ofthe Iran - Secretary General, United States Claims Tribunal Ministry of Justice

Irma Ertman Tu t M61 er Ambassador, Justice, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

To the Director of the Secretariat of the Assembly of .States Parfes T- h-e: :H ag-u e